Lookback: The Iconic Toyota Supra

Toyota is an automotive brand associated with affordable and reliable motoring. Some of their latest efforts include a foray into alternative energies like electricity and hydrogen. These days, they aren’t best known for having anything luxurious and high-performance. Well, not unless you count the Subaru-powered GT-86 sports car!

Back in the 1990s, things were different. The Supra offered drivers the epitome of fast, furious and luxurious driving! Today, the model has something of a cult icon status. Many Toyota enthusiasts would love for the Japanese car maker to introduce a new generation of Supra high-performance vehicles.

Recent news leaked from Germany suggest that both Toyota and BMW are working on a new “comeback” Supra for 2018. While we can only speculate what that car will be like, let’s take a trip back in time to remember the Supra that we all know and love!

The A80 years

In 1992, Toyota launched the fourth-generation Supra sports car. Given the codename of A80, it was an exciting new entry to the market. It offered both high performance and luxury in a sports car format. These days, you are more likely to see that combination from Toyota’s other brand, Lexus.

But, back in the 1990s, Toyota wanted to offer its fans something tasty to drive and own. You can see the car below is well maintained by a company such as car care ninja. Back in the day they sure didn’t disappoint with the Supra! Let’s remind ourselves of why many of us had a crush on this fantastic piece of automotive engineering:

Power that packed a punch

People new to the Supra at the time could enjoy driving a car with extraordinary power up front! As standard, it came with a choice of two engines. The first was a 3.0 naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine, the 2JZ-GE. With around 227 horsepower as standard, it was no slouch.

But, the real object of most people’s affection were the models with the 2JZ-GTE. In essence, it was a twin-turbocharged version of the GE engine. Oh, and it boasted a whopping 276 horsepower!

Sure, there are more powerful vehicles out there these days. Still, even by today’s standards, the twin-turbo Supra is a beast on the road. It’s still one that I’d sell my car to buy today if I could!

Curvy contours

I don’t know about you. But, I’m a big fan of the Supra’s styling! Yes, the fourth-generation model is around a quarter of a century old. The thing is, Toyota has done something right in the looks department of the Supra if it still looks fresh and modern in 2017!

The only complaint some people had was to do with the rather large spoiler. I suspect Toyota added it on there more for looks than aerodynamics. When you look at today’s sports cars, they are rather chiseled and boxy in comparison to the Supra.

Agile and sophisticated handling

Last, but by no means least, we can also remember how well the Toyota Supra handled on the road. The suspension was quite firm but not overly harsh, and the car offered good traction as a result.

Unlike many of today’s sports cars, you could actually feel the feedback from the road through your steering wheel. Take to the wheel of your own Toyota Supra in one of Drifted’s addictive drifting games.